The Financial Literacy Symposium provides an opportunity for high school students from around the region to learn about consumer credit, investing, and other elements of personal financial planning. Alison Buren, a senior accounting major and member of BAP, explains “during the symposium students participate in various activities and exercises in which they gain invaluable knowledge about finance, and also how to make informed financial decisions for their future. In one of the exercises students are given the financial profile of a typical family, and they are asked if they can afford to buy a specifically priced car. The process demonstrates how to come to an accurate understanding of their financial position and how to make an intelligent decision.”

Application to host the Financial Literacy Symposium is competitive. Alison believes that the UWB was selected again to host the symposium due to the success of the event last year despite a major power outage that shutdown half the campus. “The volunteers stepped up and the event went off without a hitch—the volunteers made the difference.”

The UWB was selected from among several applicants to host the Symposium in Western Washington. Central Washington University in Ellensburg will be hosting a similar symposium for students from the Eastern portion of the state.

At the Symposium, BAP volunteers serve as table hosts and lead the exercises in which the high school students participate. BAP is also in charge of the planning—ensuring rooms are reserved, food arrives on time, and putting out any fires—like power outages. The Symposium is also an opportunity for BAP, an international organization equally focused on community service, to volunteer their time to assist the WSCPA. “It’s a chance for us to support the WSCPA and the work they do. “The WSCPA is a strong advocate for the accounting profession in the state of Washington and we at UWB are proud to be able to contribute toward their efforts.” BAP and the WSCPA are currently planning for the symposium which will take place in early May.